McDonald’s closes spin-off restaurants after less-than two-year test run

McDonald’s has announced the closure of its CosMc’s chain less than two years after the first location opened.

Starting in late June, the five standalone CosMc’s locations will shutter for good. The CosMc’s app will be discontinued as well.

The first CosMc’s location opened in Illinois in December 2023. In launching CosMc’s, the company was looking to compete with chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’, offering customized drinks that traditional McDonald’s locations don’t provide.

CosMc’s offered menu items like an Iced French Toast Galaxy Latte, Churro Cold Brew, and Cookie Butter McPops.

The five CosMc’s locations that will close are located at:

But it’s not all bad news for fans of the chain’s beverage-focused spinoff.

CosMc’s-inspired flavors will land at McDonald’s restaurants across the country as part of a U.S. beverage test, the company announced.

“The main goal of the CosMc’s test was to create a launchpad for learning for the McDonald’s System – and the insights we’ve gathered have given us a whole new way to get closer to our fans,” the company announced in a press release.

Earlier this week, McDonald’s announced a change to its restaurants nationwide.

A company spokesperson told The Independent that a “vast majority" of U.S. locations will remain open until midnight or later starting this summer. Restaurants in "non-traditional locations" like airports and shopping malls are unlikely to follow suit, but “will be back open during normal breakfast hours,” the company shared.

Most of the fast food chain’s signature menu items will be available during the extended hours, though individual franchisees will make those decisions, the spokesperson said.

McDonald’s is celebrating the late-night hours with a May 24 giveaway. Merchandise and gift cards for free McCrispy Strips will be given to concert-goers in Los Angeles, New York City, and Detroit, the company told The Independent. McDonald’s will have street teams in these cities handing out goodies to fans.

That same day, McDonald’s will also be giving away 1,000 virtual gift cards for free McCrispy Strips. To enter to win, fans should post an Instagram story with #DipforMcCrispyStripsGiveaway and tag @GoFooji.